Models
Every model, most significant first.
40 models
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Minimoog
Analog monophonic synthesizer
Synthesizer · United States
The Minimoog is a portable analog monophonic synthesizer made by Moog Music, with a 44-key keyboard and three oscillators feeding Moog's signature ladder filter. The original Minimoog is the Model D, later reissued by Moog Music.
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ANS synthesizer
Optically controlled music instrument
Synthesizer · Russia
The ANS synthesizer is a photoelectronic musical instrument designed by the Soviet engineer Evgeny Murzin and completed in 1957, named after the composer Alexander Nikolayevich Scriabin. It generates sound from images: marks made on glass plates coated with opaque mastic are read optically and resynthesized as continuous additive tones. A single instrument was built and was famously used by composers such as Edward Artemiev, including for Soviet film scores.
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Electronic Sackbut
Electronic musical instrument
Synthesizer · Canada
The Electronic Sackbut, built by the Canadian inventor Hugh Le Caine beginning in 1945, is widely regarded as one of the first voltage-controlled synthesizers. Its keyboard offered continuous, expressive control of pitch, timbre, and volume through pressure- and touch-sensitive controls, anticipating ideas central to later synthesizers.
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Fairlight CMI
Digital audio workstation
Synthesizer · Australia
The Fairlight CMI (Computer Musical Instrument), introduced in 1979, was one of the first commercial digital sampling workstations. Pairing a sampler with a light-pen computer interface and the influential 'Page R' sequencer, it transformed 1980s pop production despite its very high cost.
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Persephone
Analog fingerboard synthesizer
Synthesizer · France
The Persephone is an analog fingerboard synthesizer made by the French company Eowave. Played by sliding a finger along a ribbon rather than pressing keys, it produces continuous, expressive monophonic tones reminiscent of early ribbon instruments such as the Ondes Martenot.
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Teenage Engineering OP–1
Portable synthesizer and sequencer
Synthesizer · Sweden
The Teenage Engineering OP-1, released in 2011, is a compact all-in-one portable synthesizer, sampler, and sequencer with a minimalist design, a small color display, and a playful, deep feature set that made it a cult favorite for sketching and performance.
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Oberheim DSX
Early digital polyphonic music sequencer
Synthesizer · United States
The Oberheim DSX is a digital sequencer released in 1981 as part of Oberheim's integrated 'System' alongside the OB-Xa synthesizer and DMX drum machine. It recorded and played back note data to automate performances in the early days of integrated electronic setups.
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EDP Spider
Early digital music sequencer
Synthesizer · United Kingdom
The EDP Spider is an early digital sequencer from Electronic Dream Plant, designed to step- and real-time-sequence the company's synthesizers such as the Wasp. It was among the affordable microprocessor-based sequencers that appeared at the end of the 1970s.
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EMS VCS 3
Synthesizer model
Synthesizer · United Kingdom
The EMS VCS 3, released in 1969, is a compact British modular analog synthesizer that routes signals through a distinctive pin-matrix patch board instead of cords. Portable and idiosyncratic, it was embraced by experimental and progressive musicians and is one of the most iconic early synthesizers.
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Ensoniq Mirage
Polyphonic synthesizer
Synthesizer · United States
The Ensoniq Mirage, released in 1984, was an affordable 8-bit digital sampling keyboard that helped bring sampling to working musicians. Its gritty sound and disk-based sample loading made it a popular and characterful early sampler.
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E-mu Emulator
Series of digital sampling synthesizers
Synthesizer · United States
The E-mu Emulator is a series of digital sampling keyboards and workstations E-mu Systems introduced in 1981. Among the first affordable samplers, the Emulator line let musicians record and play back real sounds across a keyboard and was influential in 1980s pop and film music.
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Akai MPC
Electronic musical instrument
Synthesizer · Japan
The Akai MPC (MIDI Production Center) is a family of sampler-sequencers, first released in 1988, that combined sampling, drum-pad performance, and sequencing in one unit. Developed with Roger Linn, the MPC became a central tool of hip-hop and electronic production and remains an industry standard.
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Access Virus
Virtual analog synthesizer
Synthesizer · Germany
The Access Virus is a line of virtual analog synthesizers introduced in 1997 that became known for powerful, detailed digital modeling and a rich effects section. Widely used in electronic and pop production, the Virus evolved over many models into one of the most successful modern hardware synth lines.
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ARP String Ensemble
Polyphonic multi-orchestral synthesizer
Synthesizer · United States
The ARP String Ensemble is a polyphonic string synthesizer that ARP marketed by rebranding the Eminent Solina String Ensemble. Its rich, chorused ensemble strings became one of the defining 'string machine' sounds of the 1970s.
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ARP String Synthesizer
Combination of string synthesizer and monophonic synthesizer
Synthesizer · United States
The ARP String Synthesizer is an ARP keyboard that combined a polyphonic string-ensemble section with a monophonic synthesizer voice, letting players blend lush strings with synth leads and basses.
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EMS Synthi A
Synthesizer model
Synthesizer · United Kingdom
The EMS Synthi A, released in 1971, packages the VCS 3's synthesizer and pin-matrix patching into a portable briefcase. Famous for its unpredictable, characterful sound, it became a favorite for experimental electronic music.
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EMS Synthi 100
Hybrid synthesizer
Synthesizer · United Kingdom
The EMS Synthi 100, introduced in 1971, is a very large studio synthesizer that scaled up EMS's matrix-patching design with multiple oscillators, filters, and a digital sequencer. Only a small number were built, mostly for institutional electronic-music studios.
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EMS Synthi AKS
Synthesizer model
Synthesizer · United Kingdom
The EMS Synthi AKS is a briefcase synthesizer that adds a built-in touch-sensitive keyboard and a simple sequencer to the Synthi A, combining EMS's pin-matrix synthesis with self-contained performance control.
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Moog Matriarch
Synthesizer model
Synthesizer · United States
The Moog Matriarch, released in 2019, is a four-voice paraphonic semi-modular analog synthesizer. With four oscillators, a stereo analog delay, spring reverb, sequencer, and an extensive patch bay, it sits at the top of Moog's semi-modular family.
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Roland MC-303
Groovebox by Roland Corporation
Synthesizer · Japan
The Roland MC-303 Groovebox, released in 1996, combined a sample-based sound engine drawing on Roland's classic drum machines with a built-in pattern sequencer in a tabletop unit. Marketed to dance-music producers, it popularized the 'groovebox' format and launched Roland's long-running MC series.
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Roland MC-808
Synthesizer model
Synthesizer · Japan
The Roland MC-808 is a groovebox released in 2006, combining sample-based sounds, real-time knob control, motorized faders, and an onboard sequencer aimed at electronic dance music production and live performance.
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Roland MC-8 Microcomposer
Music sequencer
Synthesizer · Japan
The Roland MC-8 MicroComposer, released in 1977, was one of the first commercially available microprocessor-controlled music sequencers. It used a numeric keypad and computer-style memory to program detailed control data for synthesizers, pioneering the digital sequencing of analog gear.
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Roland MC-4 Microcomposer
Microprocessor-based music sequencer
Synthesizer · Japan
The Roland MC-4 MicroComposer, released in 1981, is a microprocessor-based digital sequencer that let musicians program precise note, gate, and control data to drive analog synthesizers. A successor to the MC-8, it became an important tool in early electronic and synth-pop production.
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Korg MS-10
Musical synthesizer
Synthesizer · Japan
The Korg MS-10, released in 1978, is a compact patchable monophonic analog synthesizer with a single oscillator and Korg's characterful filter. Part of the semi-modular MS series, it offers a small patch bay for routing and remains popular for gritty bass and effects.
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OP–1 field
Battery-powered synthesizer, sampler and drum machine developed by Teenage Engineering
Drum machine · Sweden
The OP-1 Field, released in 2022, is Teenage Engineering's premium update to the OP-1 portable synthesizer, sampler, and sequencer, adding stereo throughout, longer battery life, Bluetooth MIDI, and improved connectivity in a refined aluminum body.
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Yamaha TX16W
Synthesizer model
Synthesizer · Japan
The Yamaha TX16W, released in 1988, is a rackmount 12-bit digital sampler. Though it had a complex interface, alternative firmware and its characterful converters earned it a dedicated following.
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Yamaha KX-5
Synthesizer model
Synthesizer · Japan
The Yamaha KX-5 is a keytar-style remote MIDI keyboard controller from the 1980s, worn with a strap so a player can trigger external synthesizers while moving around the stage.
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Yamaha SU700
Synthesizer model
Synthesizer · Japan
The Yamaha SU700, released in 1999, is a sampling groovebox combining sampling, loop slicing, and a step sequencer with hands-on knobs and pads for beat-oriented electronic production.
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Sirin: Analog Messenger of Joy
Synthesizer model
Synthesizer · United States
Sirin: Analog Messenger of Joy is a compact analog synthesizer from Erica Synths based on the company's acid-bass voice, with analog oscillators, a filter, and a built-in sequencer for punchy bass and lead sounds.
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Roland VP-330
Analog vocoder and string synthesizer from Roland Corporation
Synthesizer · Japan
The Roland VP-330 Vocoder Plus, released in 1979, is a combined vocoder, string synthesizer, and 'human voice' ensemble in a keyboard. Its lush choir and string sounds and characterful vocoder made it a favorite for atmospheric and robotic vocal textures.
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Roland MC-09
Synthesizer model
Synthesizer · Japan
The Roland MC-09 is a compact tabletop instrument from Roland for creating synthesizer and bass phrases, combining a knob-driven sound engine with a built-in step sequencer.
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Roland E-96
Synthesizer model
Synthesizer · Japan
The Roland E-96 is an arranger keyboard from the 1990s offering automatic accompaniment styles, built-in sounds, and performance features aimed at home and entertainer musicians.
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Moog Spectravox
Synthesizer model
Synthesizer · United States
The Moog Spectravox is a semi-modular analog spectral synthesizer and vocoder. It uses a bank of analog filters to analyze and resynthesize sound for vocoding and spectral effects, and integrates with Moog's other semi-modular instruments through its patch points.
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Moog Theremini
Monophonic digital synthesizer
Synthesizer · United States
The Moog Theremini, released in 2014, is a modern theremin with a built-in digital synthesis engine. It adds scale quantization (pitch correction), preset sounds, and a tuner to make the famously difficult instrument more approachable while preserving its gesture-controlled playing.
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Moog Werkstatt-Ø1
Analog educational synthesizer
Synthesizer · United States
The Moog Werkstatt-Ø1 is a compact patchable monophonic analog synthesizer originally offered as a build-it-yourself kit at Moogfest 2014. Designed as an educational instrument, it exposes Moog's classic circuitry with header pins for experimentation.
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Moog Taurus
Foot-operated analog synthesizer
Synthesizer · United States
The Moog Taurus is a foot-operated analog bass synthesizer first released in 1976. Played with a set of organ-style pedals, its deep, powerful bass tones became famous in progressive rock and live performance.
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Korg PS-3300
Polyphonic analog synthesizer, produced by Korg
Synthesizer · Japan
The Korg PS-3300, released in 1977, is a large, fully polyphonic analog synthesizer in Korg's PS series. It uses three independent oscillator-and-filter banks per note for an exceptionally thick sound and is one of the rarest and most coveted vintage Korg instruments.
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Elektron Octatrack
Electronic instrument
Synthesizer · Sweden
The Elektron Octatrack is a performance sampler and sequencer designed for live remixing and looping. With eight tracks, real-time time-stretching, crossfading, and Elektron's powerful step sequencing, it is a flexible centerpiece for electronic performance.
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E-mu Audity
Analog synthesizer
Synthesizer · United States
The E-mu Audity was an ambitious, very large analog synthesizer E-mu developed around 1980. Extremely expensive and produced in tiny numbers, it remained essentially a prototype and is now a rare piece of synthesizer history.
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ARP Little Brother
Monophonic sound module
Synthesizer · United States
The ARP Little Brother is a compact monophonic expander module designed to add an extra oscillator voice to other ARP synthesizers, extending an instrument's sound with an additional analog source.